🌱 Independent, expert-reviewed clean-energy guidance — updated for 2026 About Contact Newsletter
🧮 Solar Tool

Solar Panel Calculator

Estimate how many solar panels you need and the system size to cover your electricity use.

4.9/5 (796 ratings)🔒 100% private — runs in your browser🆓 Free forever

☀️ Solar Panel Calculator

About the Solar Panel Calculator

Sizing a solar array is the first real step of any rooftop project.

Get it wrong and you either overspend on capacity you never use, or under-build and keep paying the utility.

This calculator turns your monthly bill and local sun hours into a clear system size and panel count.

How this calculator works

We convert your monthly kWh into a daily average, then divide by your location’s peak sun hours and a real-world performance ratio of about 0.78.

That yields the kilowatts of panels required. We divide by your chosen panel wattage to get the number of panels.

Why it matters

  • Right-size your system before requesting quotes
  • Avoid oversizing and wasted spend
  • Understand the roof area you’ll need
  • Compare panel wattages instantly

Frequently asked questions

It depends on your electricity use and local sun hours. Most homes need between 12 and 28 panels. Enter your details above for a personalised figure.
It is an hour when solar irradiance averages 1,000 W/m². Sunny regions get 5–6 per day; cloudier climates 3–4.
Higher-wattage panels mean fewer panels for the same output, which helps on smaller roofs.
4.9796 ratings
Tap a star to rate